Celeste, Madame (1811–1882)

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Celeste, Madame (1811–1882)

French dancer, actress, and actress-manager. Name variations: Mme Célesté; Celeste-Elliott; Keppler-Elliot. Born Celeste Keppler in Paris, France, Aug 16, 1811; died in Paris, Feb 12, 1882; trained at the Paris Opéra; married a Mr. Elliott in America.

At 15, had an offer from America and made debut at Bowery Theatre in New York City; returning to England (1831), appeared at Liverpool as Fenella in Masaniello, and also in London; in US once more (1834–37), was enormously popular; back in England, gave up dancing and now appeared as an actress, 1st at Drury Lane and then at Haymarket; joined Benjamin Webster in the management of the Adelphi (1844); took over sole management of the Lyceum until 1861, the 1st woman to perform "Harlequin" (1850); after a 3rd visit to US (1865–68), retired (1870). Not to be confused with Mlle Celeste (Williams) who toured the US, reaching California, and, it is thought, was not a trained ballet dancer.